Permutations: Will France or Ireland win Six Nations?

Impressive Ireland beat Scotland to win Triple Crown

The 2026 Six Nations will be won by either Ireland or France, with England's match in Paris deciding who claims the title.

Ireland moved top of the standings with a bonus-point 43-21 win over Scotland to win the Triple Crown and end the visitors' hopes of a first Six Nations title.

The permutations are now much simpler:

  • Andy Farrell's Ireland, who lost to France in their opening game, will be champions if England beat Les Bleus at the Stade de France (20:10 GMT kick-off).

  • However, a France victory of any kind will hand the home side a record eighth Six Nations title.

  • A bonus-point draw would bring France level with Ireland on match points but Fabien Galthie's side would be crowned champions courtesy of their superior points difference.

Scotland finish the campaign in third place and remain without a title since they won the final Five Nations championship in 1999.

Wales secured a 31-17 bonus-point victory over Italy in Cardiff to prevent a third successive championship without a win.

However, Steve Tandy's side are still set to finish with a third straight Wooden Spoon.

They need France to beat England by a whopping 86 points - and deny the visitors a bonus point - to leave Steve Borthwick's side bottom of the table.

England will aim to avoid losing four matches in a Six Nations campaign for the first time and alleviate some of the pressure on Borthwick.

Italy had been seeking a third win to guarantee fourth place in the table, but must wait to see how England do in Paris before their final placing is confirmed.

How the Six Nations works

Teams earn four points for a win or two for a draw.

Teams earn one bonus point for scoring four or more tries in a match and/or losing by seven points or fewer.

Losing teams can therefore earn two points with a high-scoring but narrow defeat.

Super Saturday fixtures

Saturday 14 March fixtures (all times GMT):

Who has won the most Six Nations titles?

France's triumph in 2025 was their seventh since the championship became the Six Nations.

Their victory drew them level with England for the most titles won since Italy joined the tournament in 2000.

Wales and Ireland have both won six Six Nations, while Scotland and Italy have never lifted the trophy.

Wales and France lead the way when it comes to Grand Slams with four each, Ireland have three and England two.

Ireland have won the Triple Crown nine times, with England and Wales on five each. Scotland have yet to lift the Triple Crown trophy.

This article is the latest from BBC Sport's Ask Me Anything team.

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